A new phone app, called MobilePatrol, which allows users to view the names of suspects lodged in the Ionia County Jail, and the charges against them, is available for free download.

Inmate information will appear about 30 minutes after the individual has been booked.

The app, which is free to the county as well as to citizens, also allows victims to set up VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday) accounts to receive notifications when an offender's custody status changes, such as when they are released from jail. Notification is required by the William Van Regenmorter Victims Rights Act, said Ionia County Sheriff Dale Miller.

"The app is a way for victims to get notification when the person who victimized them is released from jail and their court status," Miller said. "The arresting officer is responsible for notifying the victim. We’ve taken on that responsibility for law enforcement in the county. Now this can be done on a mobile app, because everyone is doing phones these days. This will send victim notification right to their phone."

In addition, local registered sex offenders will be listed with names, charges and mapping of their residential block; as well as individuals with Friend of the Court warrants for owing child support.

"This also has the ability for the public to send (crime) tips back to us, and we will look into them," Miller said.

The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office uploaded data to the site a few months ago and staff has been practicing with the app and tweaking it to be sure it operates correctly before releasing it to the public. Now it’s ready to go, said Miller.

"Officers Dinehart, Gorniewicz and J. Marsden are administering the program. If for some reason you need an individual taken off the list, please contact one of them and they should be able to assist you," Miller said.